ALUMNI Damascus College Students Sacred Heart College St Martin’S in the Pines & Sta St Paul’S Technical College
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INTRODUCING THE DAMASCUS COLLEGE BOARD / 04 McAULEY CUP / 06 2016 EAST TIMOR IMMERSION TRIP / 10 SCHOOL PRODUCTION - GREASE / 15 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL 2016 / 16 ALUMNI STORY: PAST STUDENTS PLAYING FOR AFL GLORY / 19 DAMASCUS COLLEGE SPRING 2016 From the Principal 02 Damascus College Strategic Directions 2016-2020 03 FROM THE PRINCIPAL Introducing the Damascus MATTHEW BYRNE College Board 04 Mercy International Reflection Process 05 Welcome to the Spring Area Leaders proposed an early start program that edition of the Road. This gave greater validity to the end of year transitional McAuley Cup 06 spring, after the abundance arrangements for senior students and provided Damascus Day 07 of our winter rain, the a mechanism to address the organisational seasonal growth is profuse complexities for all students while putting French Trip 2016 08 and it is great to see those learning and achievement at the heart of the within our rural industries educational change. Scout Honours 09 filled with the hope for a As I write this newsletter we add the graduating strong end to the growing Damascus Students Battled class of 2016 to our College alumni. They have season. for Debating Glory 09 been a remarkable group of young men and Abundant growth and the cusp of the new that women who we proudly send forth into the 2016 East Timor Immersion Trip 10 spring promises, are themes which are resonating global community. I acknowledge and thank East Timor through the eyes with us strongly in our College community. Since those families for whom 2016 marks the end of damascus Students 12 mid-2015 the College Board, led initially by Vin of their Damascus journey and hope that you Dillon and followed on by Joe Cahir in the role remain connected with us through forums such Making a Difference 13 of Chair, commenced the process of developing as this, the facebook page and the website. the strategic directions 2016-20. Experienced We were fortunate to celebrate the Year 12’s Mother’s Day and Father’s Day educator, Philomena Billington guided the Board final day of classes by welcoming Bulldogs Liturgy and Breakfast 13 in the development of our next road map and premiership player and 2008 College captain, the consultation processes were extensive. We Jordan Roughead back to address the College. Imogen Awarded the Spirit are very excited about the new directions for our We are very appreciative of Jordan coming off of Anzac 14 College as they affirm the work that we have his holidays to spend time with us. Jordan is a School Production - Grease 15 already undertaken and challenge us to new generous young man of remarkable character, heights in achieving the vision for the young who has worked incredibly hard to develop his Athletics Carnival 2016 16 people of this community. A vision that states; gifts and it is great to see him enjoying the fruits “Damascus College is a Christ centred Learning of his labour. Blast from the Past 16 community that values each member and is Recently our staff team has been rocked by the Students Build their own 3D Printer 17 committed to inspiring and challenging students to reach their potential and contribute confidently sudden and tragic passing of Mary Cooper who Malaysian Students Visit Damascus 17 to the global community.” has been a science and arts technician since 2008 and a former student of Sacred Heart and St Food is Free Alumni Story 18 The strategic directions were promulgated at the Martin’s. Our thoughts and prayers remain with end of July at a joint staff and Board event. An her husband Brendan and their beautiful children, Past Students Playing for AFL Glory exceptional multi-media resource was developed Patrick, Gemma and Hugh. Alumni Story 19 by Leader of School Development, Sarah Boswell I wish to acknowledge that Tony Purcell and and O’Collins House Leader, Daniel Jans, it allows Alumni Story Greg Macallister will both retire at the end of Damascus Strong 19 us to revisit our shared purpose at all levels across 2016. Tony has taught at St Martin’s in the Pines the College over the life of this plan. I encourage 1:1 Device Program 20 and Damascus for 28 years, 40 years in Catholic all members of our community to tap into the education and 42 years in teaching. Tony has Annual Guest Speaker Event 20 documentation, it is not wordy and it provides a inspired young men and women in their love snapshot of the key elements of our identity and of language, literature and psychology and his Reunions 21 the directions we will take over the years to come. presence will be missed. Greg also concludes Where are they now? 22 Our College Board does a wonderful job in a period of outstanding service to St Marin’s in providing the strategic focus for our community. the Pines and Damascus, through his teaching Births, Marriages, In Memory 22 They are supported by a series of sub-committees he has opened up the world of mathematics and that support learning and teaching, well-being, technology for literally thousands of students on school community, Catholic school culture and this campus for 30 years. We celebrate both of finance, facilities and risk. I would just like to their contributions and wish them well for the take the opportunity to promote the opportunity future. Bronwyn Strachan is taking leave in 2017 to give back through these sub-committees and and her presence in the visual arts will be sorely encourage those who may consider it a possibility missed after her 25 year contribution. Teachers, to indicate your interest through the College Adrian Newman and Kirsten Phyland are both development office. doing teacher exchange in Canada in 2017 and we look forward to them bringing new knowledge Progressive and innovative learning and teaching and skills from far away shores back to Damascus. that maximises student outcomes, is a feature DAMASCUS COLLEGE LIMITED of our new strategic directions. As a College So in this time of spring and new growth we A.C.N. 609066775 community we are moving to an “Early Start prepare for the 207 students who will join us in Program” at the end of 2016 to maximise the Year 7 in 2017. 1412 Geelong Road, Mt Clear Victoria 3350 learning and teaching processes. All students will As the festive season approaches may the p 03 5337 2222 e [email protected] progress to the next year level for the final two blessings of the season be upon you all. www.damascus.vic.edu.au weeks of the College year. In 2014 the Learning DAMASCUS COLLEGE Strategic Directions 2016-2020 By 2020, Damascus College will be known for being a Christ-centred learning community committed to a culture of excellence that inspires students, develops staff, and values parents and families - and in so doing, encourages all to reach their potential and place in wider society. ACCORDINGLY, DAMASCUS COLLEGE ASPIRES TO - A shared vision and values inspired by biblical and Progressive and innovative learning and teaching Damascus College traditions, demonstrated by - that maximise educational outcomes for all students, • providing leadership-in-faith opportunities for students, demonstrated by - staff and the broader community; • quality, targeted professional learning for staff; • ensuring that the Gospel and Catholic traditions are • self-directed students inspired by high expectations; and understood as guidance and support for life; and • quality educational outcomes that are measured • personal and community responses to God’s call in today’s and evaluated. world expressed as social justice. Respectful relationships that value all members in an A community where the contribution of all to the College inclusive, and welcoming community which celebrates and broader society is optimised, demonstrated by - diversity in a safe and supportive school, demonstrated by - • confident and clear communication processes giving voice • commitment and pride in contributing to Damascus to the wisdom of all; College life; • engaged parents who contribute to the growth of students, • shared expectations that both encourage and challenge the College and broader community; and all community members; and • strong links to the global community. • a safe and sustainable environment cared for by all. DAMASCUS COLLEGE – THE ROAD SPRING 2016 03 INTRODUCING THE DAMASCUS COLLEGE BOARD The Co-Governors of Damascus College are Sr Berenice Kerr (representing the Institute of Sisters of Mercy Australia and Papua The 2016 Damascus College Board consists of: New Guinea) and Fr Adrian McInerney (representing the Canonical Administrators of Ballarat and District). Co Governors Sr Berenice Kerr and Fr Adrian McInerney Damascus College has a College Board of Directors who are Chair Joe Cahir responsible for the strategic direction and management of the College within the terms established by the above sponsors. Secretary Matthew Byrne (Principal) Damascus College is an incorporated entity in that it is a company Directors Fr Peter Sherman limited by guarantee. Directors are required to comply with the Australian Institute of Company Directors Code of Conduct. The Bill Slatter Board meets regularly to establish and review general policy, to Jane Collins receive regular reports from the College Principal, to consider the financial situation and to undertake long-term strategic planning for Brendan Maher the College. Paulene Barton Damascus College also has Board Sub-committees which are Raymond Wright chaired by a Board Director and consist of a member of the College Leadership Team, staff, parents and representatives from the Lucy O’Beirne wider community. These Sub-committees operate under terms of reference, providing advice, recommendations and input to the Sr Elizabeth Dowling Board in the areas of: policy, strategic direction and community Marc Amos representation.